Herbicidal 1-carbonamidothio-3-aryl ureas

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula   WHEREIN R is phenyl substituted with 0 to 4 halogens, trihalomethyl, nitro groups, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy groups; R1 and R2 are hydrogen or lower alkyl; R3 is alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms; R4 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms, cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms, with the proviso that R3 and R4 may be joined to form a linear alkylene radical of 3 to 5 carbon atoms which is bound to the carbonyl and nitrogen to form a ring. The compounds are herbicidal.

United States Patent Brown, deceased et al.

HERBICIDAL I-CARBONAMIDOTHlO-S-ARYL UREAS Inventors: Melancthon S. Brown, deceased, late of Berkeley, Calif; by Gustave K. Kohn, special administrator, Berkeley, Calif.

Chevron Research Company, San Francisco, Calif.

Filed: Dec. 17, 1973 Appl. No.: 425,672

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 88,229, Nov. 9, 1970, Pat. No. 3,824,281.

Assignee:

U.S. CI. 71/98; 71/67; 424/244;

424/267; 424/274; 424/322 Int. Cl AOln 9/12 Field oi Search 71/67, 98

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 June 24, 1975 Primary Examiner.lames 0. Thomas, J r. Attorney, Agent, or FirmG. F. Magdeburger; Dix A. Newell; Raymond Owyang [57] ABSTRACT Compounds of the formula wherein R is phenyl substituted with 0 to 4 halogens, trihalomethyl, nitro groups, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy groups; R and R are hydrogen or lower alkyl; R is alkyl of l to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms; R is hydrogen, alkyl of l to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms, cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with halogen atoms, with the proviso that R and R may be joined to form a linear alkylene radical of 3 to 5 carbon atoms which is bound to the carbonyl and nitrogen to form a ring. The compounds are herbicidal.

18 Claims, No Drawings HERBICIDAL l-CARBONAMIDOTHIO-S-ARYL UREAS RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 88,229, tiled Nov. 9, I970 now US. Pat, No. 3,824,28l the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed to novel ureas and their use as herbicides. More particularly, it concerns l-(N- alkylcarboxamidothio)-3-phenyl ureas and their use as herbicides.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The ureas ofthis invention may be represented by the formula wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35 (fluorine, chlorine or bromine), trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, nitro groups. alkyl groups individually of l to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups individually of l to 4 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms; R is alkyl of l to carbon atoms, alkyl of l to 10 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35 (chlorine or bromine), cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35; R is hydrogen, alkyl of l to 10 carbon atoms, alkyl of l to 10 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, with the proviso that R and R may be joined to form a linear alkylene radical of 3 to 5 carbon atoms which is bound to the carbonyl and nitrogen to form a ring.

Preferably R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35 or nitro groups, more preferably l to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35 or trifluoromethyl or nitro groups. When R is phenyl substituted with alkyl or alkoxy, it is preferred that the alkyl or alkoxy substituents be in position 2, 4 or 6 of the benzene nucleus.

R is preferably hydrogen or alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms, more preferably methyl. R is preferably alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms.

R is preferably alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms, alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number l7 to 35, preferably l to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number I? to 35, preferably l to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35. Still more preferably, R is alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms substituted with O to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, preferably chlorine.

R is preferably hydrogen, alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms. alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number l7 to 35, preferably l to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number l7 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, preferably 1 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35. More preferably, R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, still more preferably l to 3 carbon atoms, substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number l7 to 35, preferably chlorine, or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably cyclohexyl, substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35.

R and R may be joined to form a linear alkylene radical of 3 to 5 carbon atoms which is bound to the carbonyl and nitrogen to form a ring. Preferably the linear alkylene radical will contain 3 carbon atoms.

Representative groups which R may represent include phenyl, o-fluorophenyl, p-fluorophenyl, mchlorophenyl, o-fluoro-p-bromophenyl, omethylphenyl, p-ethylphenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, mbutoxyphenyl, p-nitrophenyl, o-nitro-pmethoxyphenyl.

Representative alkyl groups which R and R may represent include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and isobutyl.

Representative groups which R and R may represent include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, 2 methylbutyl, 3-methylpentyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,

cyclooctyl, chloromethyl, 2-chloroethyl, 3- chloropropyl, 4-chloroamyl, o-chlorohexyl, 2,6- dichlorocyclohexyl, 2,6-dibromocyclohexyl, 3- bromocyclohexyl, bromoethyl, 2-bromoethyl, 3-

bromopropyl, etc.

Alkyl radicals which R and R taken together may represent are propylene, butylene and amylene.

Typical ureas of the present invention include: l-methyll -(N-methylformamidothio)-3-ofluorophenyl urea,

l-( N-methylforamidothio )-3-o-trifluorophenyl urea, l-methyll N-methylacetamidothio )-3-ochlorophenyl urea, l-methyl-1-(N-methylacetamidothio)-3-trifluoromethylphenyl urea, l-methyll -(N-methylpropionamidothio)-3-pchlorophenyl urea, l-methyll N-methylpropionamidothio )-trichloroethylphenyl urea, l-methyl-1-(N-methylbutyramidothio)-3-mbromophenyl urea, l-methyll N-methyl-valeramidothio)-3-omethylphenyl urea, l-methyll N-methylcyclohexylcarboxamidothio)-3- o-methoxyphenyl urea, l-methyll N-ethyl-3 ,4,S-trichlorovaleramidothio )-3- p-propylphenyl urea, l-ethyll N-methylformamidothio )-3-o-fluoro-pbromophenyl urea, 1 -methyl 1 N-methylcyclohexylcarboxamidothio)-3- (Z-trifluoromethylphenyl) urea, l-butyll -(N-ethylformamidothio)-3-p-ethoxyphenyl urea.

l-methyll N-propylacetamidothio)-3-m-nitro-pbromophenyl urea. l-methyll N-methylcaproamidothio )-3ofluorophenyl urea, lmethyll N-methyl-2- chlorocyclopentylcarboxamidothio)-3-phenyl urea. l-ethyll N-cyclohexylformamidothio)-3-mchlorophenyl urea, 1-methyl-l-(N-chloromethylacetamidothio)-3-(2- chloro-S-fluorophenyl) urea.

The ureas of the present invention may be prepared by reacting a urea with an acylamido sulfenyl chloride according to the following equation:

wherein R, R. R". R". and R are as previously defined. This reaction may be carried out in pyridine, dimethylformamide with or without an acid acceptor or in other solvents such as methylene chloride, chloroform, acetonitrile and dimethoxyethane using an acid acceptor. Acid acceptors which may be used with dimethyl formamide and these other solvents are pyridine. alkylpyridines, quinoline and similar heterocyclic bases. Pyridine is a preferred acid acceptor. When pyridine is used alone it acts both as a solvent and acid acceptor. The preferred medium for carrying out this reaction is methylene chloride with pyridine as an acid acceptor.

The pressures and temperatures at which the reaction is carried out are not critical. Thus temperatures ranging from ambient to about 60C. will normally be used. However. lower temperatures or higher temperatures, up to the decomposition temperature of the reactants and product may be used. The pressure will generally be atmospheric or autogenous. The reaction will normally be complete within 30 minutes to 4 hours.

The urea reactant in the above equation may be prepared in situ or beforehand. Conventional methods such as reacting an amine with an isocyanate may be used to prepare this reactant.

The acylamido sulfenyl chloride reactant may be prepared by reacting sulfur dichloride with a monoalkylated amide or lactam. This reaction is illustrated by the following equation:

O HN-e-R scl c1s-N-c-R* i2 1'1 wherein R" and R are as previously defined. It is desirable to use stoichiometric proportions of the reactants or an excess of sulfur dichloride reactant up to about 4:l mol ratio.

The reaction temperature in general is not critical, and will usually be in the range of -50 to l00C., preferably 20 to 60C. Likewise the pressure is not critical, and will usually be atmospheric or autogenous. Reaction time will generally be from /4 hour to 5 hours.

The reaction will generally be carried out in the presence of an inert solvent such as dichloromethane, diethylether. tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dioxane, acetonitrile, and the like. Generally each of the reactants will be admixed separately with a solvent and then the mixture containing the amide and preferably a hydrogen halide acceptor will be added slowly with stirring to the mixture containing the sulfur dichloride.

The amount of solvent should be equal to or up to five times the weight of the sulfur dichloride. Likewise, the solvent for the amide-halide acceptor mixture should be equal to or up to five times the weight of both.

The sulfur dichloride should be added in high purity, for example greater than 98 percent purity. lt is frequently desirable to have a small amount of an inhibitor such as tributyl phosphate or triethylphosphate present with the sulfur dichloride in order to maintain the high purity.

The reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a mild hydrogen halide acceptor. At least stoichiometric amounts of acceptor should be used. Soluble tertiary amines such as pyridine and trialkylamines, e.g., triethylamine and tributylamine, are preferred.

The acylamido sulfenyl chloride can generally be recovered from the reaction mixture by stripping any excess sulfur dichloride, filtering off the salt formed between the hydrogen halide acceptor and the HCI, evaporating the solvent and the product purified as by distillation or recrystallization.

EXAMPLES The following examples illustrate methods used to prepare the ureas of the present invention. These examples are in no way intended to limit the invention described herein. Unless otherwise indicated, percentages are by weight.

EXAMPLE I l-methyll -(N-methylformamidothio)-3-2- fluorophenyl) urea 12.5 g. of N-methylformamido sulfenyl chloride in 20 ml. of methylene chloride was added slowly to a slurry of 16 g. of l-methyl-3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea and 9 ml. of pyridine in ISO ml. of methylene chloride with a slight exothermicity. The reaction mixture was stirred one hour at room temperature, washed with water, then with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and again with water. After being dried over magnesium sulfate, the product solution was stripped of solvent under vacuum and the residual oil was chromatographed on a column of silica gel eluting with ether. A portion of the chromatographed product was recrystallized from benzenehexane. The product melted at 65-69C., and had the following elemental analysis: %S, calc. l2.45, found 12.92; percent F, calc. 7.40, found 7.64.

EXAMPLE 2 l -methyl-1-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-(3,4- dichlorophenyl) urea 14 g. of N-methylformamido sulfenyl chloride diluted with 10 ml. of methylene chloride was added slowly from a dropping funnel to 20 g. of l-methyl-3-(3,4- dichlorophenyl) urea and 10 ml. of pyridine in 200 ml. methylene chloride in a 500 ml. three-necked flask equipped with mechanical stirrer. After addition was complete, the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. diluted with 200 ml. methylene chloride, washed with 200 ml. of water, then with 200 ml. aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and again with 200 ml. of water. After drying and solvent removal under vacuum, the crude product was chromatographed on a column of silica gel eluting with ether. The product was further purified by recrystallization from ethanol. The recrystallized product melted at 99- After the plants had dried, they were placed in a greenhouse and then watered intermittently at their bases as needed. The plants were observed periodically for phytotoxic effects and physiological and morphological re- 103C. and had the following elemental analysis: sponses to the treatment. After 3 weeks the herbicidal C 1040, found 1030; Percent Cl, found effectiveness of the urea was rated. based on these ob- 22-95v servations. A 0-to-l00 scale was used; 0 representing Other ureas included within this invention were preno phytotoxicity, 100 representing complete kill. pared using the methods as described above. These The results fth tests appear i T bl II Compounds are listed in Table 10 The amount of urea administered will vary with the particular plant part or plant growth medium which is T T to be contacted, the general location of application, i.e., sheltered areas such as greenhouses as compared The ureas 0f the p invention in L to exposed areas such as fields, as well as the desired herbicidal W and Post-emergent applicationstype of control. For pre-emergent control of most For pre-emergent control of undesirable vegetation, plants, dosages in the range of about 0.5 to lbs. per these ureas will be applied in herbicidal quantities to acre will be used. Such administration will give a conthe environment, e.g., soil infested with seeds and/or centration of about 2 to 80 ppm. urea distributed seedlings Of SUCh vegetation. Such application will ll'lthroughout (1] acre-fool; For post-emergent applicahibit the growth of km the Seeds germinating Seeds 20 tion, such as foliar spray application, compositions conand seedlings. For post-emergent applications, the taining about 0.5 to 8 lbs. urea per 100 gal. spray will ureas of the present invention will be applied directly be used. Such application is equivalent to about 0.5 to to the foliage and other plant parts. Generally they are 20 lbs. urea per acre. effective against weed grasses as well as broadleaved The herbicidal compositions of this invention comweeds. Some may be selective with respect to type of prise an herbicidal amount of one or more of the application and/or type of weed. above-described ureas intimately admixed with a bio- Preand post-emergent herbicidal tests on represenlogically inert carrier. The carrier may be a liquid dilutative ureas of this invention were made using the folent such as water or acetone or a solid. The solid may lowing methods: be in the form of dust powder or granules. These com- Pre-emergent Test positions will also usually contain adjuvants such as a An acetone solution of the test ureas was prepared by wetting or dispersing agent to facilitate their penetramixing 750 mg. urea, 220 mg. of a nonionic surfactant tion into the plant growth medium or plant tissue and and 25 ml. of acetone. This solution was added to apgenerally enhance their effectiveness. These composiproximately 125 ml. of water containing 156 mg. of tions may also contain other pesticides, stabilizers, consurfactant. ditioners, fillers and the like.

Seeds of the test vegetation were planted in a pot of Some of the compounds of the present invention also soil and the urea solution was sprayed uniformly onto exhibit algicidal activity. The test procedure is as folthe soil surface at a dose of 100 migrograms per cm'-. lows:

The pot was watered and placed in a greenhouse. The An acetone solution of equal parts of urea and a surpot was watered intermittently and was observed for 40 factant was prepared. This solution was mixed with a seedling emergence, health of emerging seedlings, etc., nutrient broth in a quantity sufficient to give a concenfor a 3-week period. At the end of this period, the hertration of2 ppm. urea. Four identical 150 ml. specimen bicidal effectiveness of the urea was rated based on the cups were filled with this mixture. 350-400 mg. of Eu physiological observations. A 0-to-l00 scale was used; glena was added to each specimen cup and the cups 0 representing no phytotoxicity. 100 representing comwere then placed in an environment chamber for incuplete kill. bation. The cups were observed periodically for alga Post-emergent Test growth. The algicidal effectiveness of the urea was de- The test urea was formulated in the same manner as termined based on a final observation of alga growth described above for the pre-emergent test. The concenafter 10 days. tration of the urea in this formulation was 5000 ppm. The results of these tests, reported as the average of This formulation was uniformly sprayed on 2 similar the 4 specimen cups on a 0-to-100 basis 0 indicating pots of 24-day-old plants (approximately 15 to 25 no effectiveness; indicating complete effectiveness plants per pot) at a dose of 100 micrograms per cm are reported in Table Ill.

TABLE 1 Elemental analysis Melting S Halogen Point. Compound Calc Found Cale. Found C.

l-methyl-l(N-melhylformamidothio)-3-(2-chlorophenyl) urea 11.70 12.55 12.98 13.48 oil l-rnethyl-l-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-(4-nitrophenyl) urea l 1.25 10.95 19.70 19.05 I 15-1 18 l-ethyl-1-(N-methylforrnamidothio)-3-(3,4-dichloropheny1) urea 9.83 10.40 22.1 22.70 68-72 l-methyl-l-(N-methylformamidothioJ-3-(3-chloro-4-bromophenyl) urea 9.07 9.35 5.66 546 98-101 1.3-dimethyl-l-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-pheny1 urea 12.7 12.90 16.6* 15.95 oil Lmethyl-l-(Nmethylacetamidothio)-3-(3.4 dichloropheny1) urea 9.97 9.68 21.75 21.70 11 [-1 l3 Lrnethyl-l-(N-methylacetamidothio)-3-(2-fluoropheny1) urea 11.85 1 1.59 7.01 7.23 94-97 1-rnethyl-l-(N-methylacetamidothio)-3-(4-chlorophenyl) urea 11.15 10.95 12.33 1218 92-97 l-methyl-l-[N-methylacetamidothio)-3-(4-nitrophenyl) urea 10.77 10.40 18.8" 18.1 1 19-l25 1-methyI-l-(N-ethylformamidothiol-3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea l 1.84 1 1.88 15.5 1513* 79-82 l-methyl-1-(N-ethylformamidothio)-3-(4-nitrophenyl) urea 10.77 10.51 18.8 18.3 l10 TABLE l-Contmued Elemental analysis Melting S Halogen Point. Compound Cale. Found Cale. Found C.

l-methyl-l-(N-methylbutyrumidothio)-3-(Z-fluorophenyl) urea 10472 10.95 il l-methyl-l-(N-mcthylhutyrumidothio)-3-(4-nitrophenyl] urea 9.84 9.77 17.2 1708* 119-121 1-methyl-l-(N-methylcyclohexylcarboxamidothio)-3-(Z-fluorophenyl) urea 9.46 9.40 5.6 5.50 oil l-methyH-fN-methy1cyclohexylcarboxamidothio)-3[4 nitrophenyl) urea 8.77 8.70 153* 15.65 127-135 1-methyl-l-fN-methylbutyramidothio)-3-(3-nitrophenyl) urea 9.82 9.86 17.18 16.40 oil l-methyl-1-[N-methylpropylumidothio)-3-(2-fluoropheny1) urea l [.24 1 1.38 oil 1-(N-mcthylformamidothiol-3-phenyl urea 14.21 14.40 18.68* 18.10* 140143 nitrogen TABLE ll Herbicidal Efi'ectiveness Pre/Post Compound W C M P L l -methyl-1 (N-methylformamidothio)3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea 98/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 l-methyl- N-methylformamidothio )3-( 2chlorophenyl urea 100/100 93/100 90/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 1 -methyl- 1 N-methylformamidothio )-3-( 3 .4-dichlorophenyl) urea 96/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/I00 [-methyl-1-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-(4-nitrophenyl) urea 75/70 80/70 100/80 l-ethyll N-methylformamidothio )-3-( 3t4-dichloro phenyl) urea /100 /100 90/100 95/100 100/100 100/100 1 -methyl-1-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-( 3-chloro-4- bromophenyl) urea /100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 l.Zl-dimethyl-l-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-phenyl urea 9 100/90 100/90 5/95 l-methyl- 1 N-methylacetamidothio )-3-( 3.4-dichlorophenyl urea /l00 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 l-methyL 1 Nmethylacetamidothio )-3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea 98/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 l-methyl- 1 n-methylacetamidothio)-3 4-chlorophenyl) urea 93/100 100/100 100/85 100/100 100/100 100/100 [-methyl- 1 N-methylacetamidothio)-3-(4-nitrophenyl1 urea 90/ 75]- 90/- [-methyl- 1 N-ethylformamidothio )3( Z-fluorophcnyl) urea 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 1-methyl-l-(N-ethylformamidothio)-3-(4-nitropheny1) urea 95/90 95/ 95/ |-methyl-1-(N-methylbutyrarnidothio)3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea /100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 1-methy1 1-(N-methylbutyramidothio)-3-(4nitrophenyl) urea 95/ 90/ 70/ 1-methy1-l-(N-methylcyclohexylcarboxamidothio)-3- (Z-fluorophenyl) urea 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 lmethyl- N-methylbutyramidothio)-3-( 3-nitrophenyl) urea 70/ /88 75/ 97/80 83/ 93/-- l-methyll N-methylpropylamidothio )-3-( 2-fluorophenyl urea 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 100/100 l-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-phenyl urea 66/ 85/ 70/ O Wild Outs (orcnml fillnu) M Mustard [Brusxiur ur\ vnxir) W Watcrgrass IEz'IIinmh/nn rruxgulll') P Pigwccd lAnmrmu/rm retro/7mm] C Crahgrass [Uighur/n .mnguinnlllvl L Lumbsquurtcr (Cllcno mdimn llllmm) TABLE 111 Eng/elm. Compound 7? control l-melhyH 1N methylformamidothio)-3-(2-fluorophenyll urea [00 l-methyl-l N-methylformamidothio)-3-( 3.4-dichlorophenyl) urea [00 l-ethyl- 1 N-methylformamidothio )-3-( 3.4-dichlorophenyl) urea [00 l-methyL1 (N-methylformamidothio)-3-(3-chloro-4-bromophenyl) urea [00 l-methyl-l N-methylacetamidothio )-3-( 3 .4-dichlorophenyl) urea 100 l-methyl 1-(N-methylcyclohexylcarboxamidothio)-3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea [00 Ureas of this invention when used for controlling mi- 60 range from 0.1 to 10 ppm. In terms of pounds of urea crobiological organisms such as algae can be applied to such organisms in aqueous bodies such as lakes, streams, canals, pools and the like. Generally a biocidal quantity of one or more of the ureas of this invention is added to the aqueous growth environment of the or ganisms. Usually this dosage will range from 0.1 to 500 ppm. In any given instance, the optimum dosage will depend upon the particular organism and aqueous body involved. Preferably the amount employed will per acre of water one foot deep, 0.1 to 10 ppm is equal to about 0.3 to 30 lbs. per acre of water one foot deep. The ureas may be applied as dispersible powders or in solutions with water-miscible solvents. Preferred ureas for control of algae have halogen-substituted phenyl groups (R in the formula of the compound).

Some of the ureas of this invention were also used to control fungi such as Monolinia fructicola. Alternaria solani, etc. When used as fungicides the ureas will be formulated and applied in fungicidal amounts by conventional art methods to fungi or hosts which are subject to fungus attack. especially vegetative hosts such as plants. plant seeds. paper and the like. They may be combined with inert liquids and solid carriers as powders. solutions or dispersions for such use.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for controlling the growth of undesirable vegetation which comprises applying an herbicidally effective amount of a urea of the formula wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35 (fluorine, chlorine or bromine). trifluoromethyl. trichloromethyl, nitro groups. alkyl groups individually of l to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups individually of l to 4 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms; R is alkyl of l to carbon atoms, alkyl of l to 10 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35 (chlorine or bromine). cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35; R is hydrogen. alkyl of l to 10 carbon atoms. alkyl of l to 10 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 10 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number I? to 35.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, nitro groups, alkyl groups individually of l to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups individually of l to 4 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when R is phenyl substituted with alkyl or alkoxy. the alkyl or alkoxy substituent will be in position 2. 4 or 6 of the benzene nucleus.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl or nitro groups, R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms, R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms, R is alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35. R is hydrogen, alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, R is alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms, R is alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms substituted with O to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35 or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35. trifluoromethyl or nitro groups. R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms. R is alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms, R is alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms. R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl substituted with l to 2 halogens of atomic number 9 to 35. R is hydrogen. R is methyl, R is methyl. and R is hydrogen. alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the urea is 1- methyll N-methylbutyramidothio )-3-( 2- fluorophenyl) urea.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein R is 2-fluorophenyl and R is cyclohexyl.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the urea is 1- methyl- 1 N-methylacetamidothio )-3-( 2- fluorophenyl) urea.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the urea is 1- methyl- 1 -(N-methylformamidothio)-3-( 3 ,4- dichlorophenyl) urea.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein the urea is 1- methyl- 1 N-methylformamidothio )-3-( 2- fluorophenyl) urea.

12. An herbicidal composition comprising an inert carrier and an herbicidally effective amount of the urea defined in Claim 1.

13. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl. trichloromethyl, nitro groups, alkyl groups individually of l to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups individually of l to 4 carbon atoms. with the proviso that when R is phenyl substituted with alkyl or alkoxy, the alkyl or alkoxy substituent will be in position 2, 4 or 6 of the benzene nucleus.

14. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl or nitro groups. R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms, R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms. R is alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number l7 to 35. cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, R is hydrogen, alkyl of l to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with l to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number l7 to 35.

15. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is hydro gen or methyl, R is alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R is alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35. R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms substituted with O to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number l7 to 35 or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with O to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number l7 to 35.

16. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with l to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl or nitro groups. R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms. R is alkyl of l to 2 carbon atoms, R is alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, R is hydrogen or alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl.

17. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 halogens of atomic number 9 to 35, R is hydrogen, R is methyl, R is methyl, and R is hydrogen, alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl.

18. The composition of claim 12 wherein the urea is l-methyll-(N-methylbutyramidothio)-3-( 2- fluorophenyl) urea UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO. 3,891,424

DATED June 24, 1975 INVENTOR(S) MELANCTHON 5. BROWN ET AL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title page, "[75] Inventors: Melancthon S. Brown, deceased,

late of Berkeley, Calif.; by Gustave K. Kohn, special administrator, Berkeley, Calif." should read:

-- [75] Inventors: Melancthon S. Brown, deceased,

late of Berkeley, Calif.; by Gustave K. Kohn, special administrator, Berkeley, Calif.; and Gustave K. Kohn, Berkeley,

Calif.-

Signed and Scaled this twenty-fifth Day of May1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Annnng Officer Commissioner uflalems and Trademarks 

1. A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE GROWTH OF UNDESIRABLE VEGETATION WHICH COMPRISES APPLYING AN HERBICIDALLY EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF A UREA OF THE FORMULA
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, nitro groups, alkyl groups individually of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups individually of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when R is phenyl substituted with alkyl or alkoxy, the alkyl or alkoxy substituent will be in position 2, 4 or 6 of the benzene nucleus.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl or nitro groups, R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R3 is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, R4 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to
 35. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl, R2 is alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R3 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, R4 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35 or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to
 35. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl or nitro groups, R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R2 is alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R3 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R4 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein R is phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 halogens of atomic number 9 to 35, R1 is hydrogen, R2 is methyl, R3 is methyl, and R4 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the urea is 1-methyl-1-(N-methylbutyramidothio)-3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein R is 2-fluorophenyl and R4 is cyclohexyl.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the urea is 1-methyl-1-(N-methylacetamidothio)-3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the urea is 1-methyl-1-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein the urea is 1-methyl-1-(N-methylformamidothio)-3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea.
 12. An herbicidal composition comprising an inert carrier and an herbicidally effective amount of the urea defined in Claim
 1. 13. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, nitro groups, alkyl groups individually of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups iNdividually of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when R is phenyl substituted with alkyl or alkoxy, the alkyl or alkoxy substituent will be in position 2, 4 or 6 of the benzene nucleus.
 14. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl or nitro groups, R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R3 is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, R4 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 4 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to
 35. 15. The composition of claim 12 wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl, R2 is alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R3 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35, R4 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to 35 or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 0 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 17 to
 35. 16. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 halogen atoms of atomic number 9 to 35, trifluoromethyl or nitro groups, R1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R2 is alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, R3 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R4 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl.
 17. The composition of claim 12 wherein R is phenyl substituted with 1 to 2 halogens of atomic number 9 to 35, R1 is hydrogen, R2 is methyl, R3 is methyl, and R4 is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl.
 18. The composition of claim 12 wherein the urea is 1-methyl-1-(N-methylbutyramidothio)-3-(2-fluorophenyl) urea. 